The Soldier’s Son, Arthur MacArthur IV

Four year old Arthur MacArthur IV, in the Malinta Tunnel entrance Corregidor.(Wide World Photo)

Born in Manila on February 21 1938, Arthur was named after his famous grandfatherLieutenant General Arthur MacArthur.He was the only child of the great General Douglas MacArthur and Jean Marie Faircloth.

His father, Douglas MacArthur was a well-known and experienced officer with a distinguished record in World War I, retired from the United States Army in 1937 and had become a defense advisor to the Philippine government.

Although the dependents of U.S. military personnel had been sent back to the United States, MacArthur was, until his recall from retirement, a Philippine government employee, so his family had to stay behind with MacArthur in the Philippines.

MacArthur’s wife, Jean MacArthur, and young son, Arthur MacArthur IV, accompanied him to Corregidor where Arthur celebrated his fourth birthday on February 21 1942. A worried aide once asked about Arthur’s possible fate, MacArthur replied: “He is a soldier’s son.”

Thus, this soldier’s son endured the Japanese bombings in Corregidor and the perilous journey by sea to Cagayan de Oro, Mindanao on board a PT boat, and the flight from Bukidnon to Australia on board a B-17 Bomber. With that, he shared with his father’s glory.

Though Gen. Douglas MacArthur and his wife Jean Marie Faircloth MacArthur assumed that Arthur would eventually join West Point, the young MacArthurhad other plans.MacArthur attended Columbia University, studying music, literature, the arts and theater.

After his father’s death in 1964, Arthur moved to the other side of Manhattan and changed his name to conceal his identity. He had a keen interest in music, literature, arts and the theatre. William Manchester, author of “American Caesar: Douglas MacArthur” said that Arthur was “a fugitive from his father’s relentless love.”
This MacArthur, decided to just fade away.